Log handling tongs



July 14, 1959 R. Q. PUCKETT ETAL 2,894,782 LOG HANDLING TONGS Filed Sept. 20, 1954 s Shets-Sheet 1 Ralph 0- Puc/re/I Lama E. Ash/00k IN VEN TORS United States LOG HAN DLING TONGS Ralph Q. l'uckett, Parma, Idaho, and Lorna E. Ashlock, Hines, Oreg.

Application September 20, 1954, Serial No. 457,118

16 Claims. (Cl. 294-110) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in tongs, and more specifically to improved log handling tongs.

In the loading and unloading of logs with a crane provided with log handling tongs, it is normally necessary to have one man in the vicinity of the logs being engaged by the tongs in order that the man may hold the tong members in open position for engagement with the log. It is readily apparent that by providing means for holding the tong members of log handling tongs in open position that this man can be eliminated.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide improved log handling tongs having means associated therewith for selectively holding the tong members thereof in open position for engagement with a log.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved log handling tong which is so constructed whereby tong members thereof may be retained in open position for engaging a log after they have been disengaged from a log.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved latch means for selectively attaching a plunger to a body member from which log engaging tong members depend, the latch means being selectively operable in the manipulation of the tongs during a log handling operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide im proved log handling tongs which are so constructed whereby a plunger thereof is associated with a body member from which tong members depend may be selectively set with respect to the body member to either lock the plunger to the body member for lifting the tong members in uncontrolled relation, or for selectively engaging linkage for moving the tong members to open position in response to the lifting of the log handling tongs.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational view of the lifting tongs which is the subject of this invention and shows the same in a log gripping position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the log handling tongs of Figure l and shows the details of the linkage thereof;

Figure 3 is an elevational view similar to Figure 1 and shows the tong members of the log handling tongs retained in open position for engagement over a log;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a trip device used in combination with the operating mechanism of the tongs;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the center of the log handling tongs when the tong members are in an open position straddling a log prior to the grasping of the log and the plunger has moved upwardly to its latched position;

2,894,782 Patented July 14, 1959 Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure 5 and shows the details of construction of the body member and an associated dust shield and the relationship of the trip means with respect thereto; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 77 of Figure 5 and shows the relationship of a latch carried by the body member with respect to the plunger.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the log handling tongs which are the subject of this invention, the tongs being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The tongs 10 includes an elongated body member 12 which is generally cylindrical in configuration. The body member 12 is provided at the lower end thereof with a fitting 14 including a pair of eyes 16 and 18. Passed through the eyes 16 and 18 are clevises 20 and 22, respectively, which are attached to upper end portions 24 and 26 of crossed tong members 28 and 30, respectively. The tong members 28 and 30 are connected together by a pivot pin 32 which directly underlies the fitting 14. The tong members 28 and 30 are provided at their lower ends with opposed hooks 34 for engagement with a log.

Pivotally connected to a tong member 28 intermediate the ends thereof and disposed on opposite sides of the tong member 28 is a pair of arcuate links 36. The links 36 are connected together and to the tong member 28 by a pivot pin 38. It is to be understood that the pivot pin 38 extends through the central portions of the arcuate links 36.

Pivotally connected to the ends of the arcuate links 36 overlying the tong member 30 is a pair of elongated, generally vertically disposed links 40. The links 40 are connected to the arcuate links 36 by a pivot pin 42 which overlies and is engageable with the upper surface of the tong member 30.

Extending between the ends of the arcuate links 36 remote from the pivot pin 42 is a pivot pin 44. The pivot pin 44 connects to one of the arcuate links 36 a short link 46 whose opposite end is pivotally connected to an elongated link 48 by a pivot pin 50. The upper end of the elongated link 48 is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the link 40 by a pivot pin 52. The link 46 is provided at the upper end thereof with a stop member 54 engageable with the link 48 to limit the pivoting thereof with respect to the link 46.

The linkage of the log handling tongs also includes a relatively short link 56 carried by the end of the pivot pin 44 opposite from the link 46. The opposite end of the link 56 is pivotally connected to the upper portion 26 of the tong member 30 through the use of the clevis 22.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is slidably disposed in the body member 12 an elongated plunger 58. The plunger 58 has the upper end thereof provided with a bail 60' to which is connected a clevis 62 carried by a lifting line 64.

Carried by the body member 12 and secured thereto is a generally U-shaped cross-sectional dust cover 66, as is best illustrated in Figures 5 and 7. The dust cover 66 includes a pair of side walls 68 having first edges connected together by a rear wall 70 and having second edges thereof suitably secured to the body member 12.

Secured in the lower portion of the dust cover 66 and carried by a pivot pin 72 extending between the side walls 68 is a latch which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 74. The latch 74 includes a dog member 76 and an integral elongated lever 78 which projects downwardly below the dog 76.

The body member 12 is provided with a slot 80 in alignment with the latch '74 for receiving the dog member 76 and the lever 78. Further, the latch 74 is provided with a wire spring 82 which has one end thereof engaged with the dog member '76 and the other end thereof engaged with a side wall 68 to normally urge the dog member 76 and the lever 78 into the lower portion of the body member 12.

As is best illustrated in Figure 5, the lower part of the plunger 58 is provided With a recess 84 which increases in depth downwardly to form a shoulder 86. The shoulder 86 is so positioned for engagement by the dog member 76 to prevent upward movement of the plunger 58 relative to the body member 12.

In order that the latch 7% may be rendered inoperative, there is provided at the upper end thereof a projection 83. The projection 88 has engageabie therewith a pin 94) which is in the form of an enlarged lower end of a rod 92. The pin and the rod 92 are guided for ver tical movement only by transverse webs E i and 96, respectively, extending between the body member 12 and the dust cover Carried by the lower portion of the rod s a. coil ng The coil spring has the lower end thereof engaged with the pin 39 and the upper end thereof engaged with the underside of the web to urge the rod and the pin 90 downwardly.

Extending between upper portions of the side walls 68 is a transverse pin M9 on which is mounted a generally Z-shaped lever 1&2. Carried by the lever 182 is a pivot pin ill-4 which has attached thereto the upper end of the rod whereby lifting the lever 1.92 the pin 90 may be moved to an inoperative position so as to be received over the projection it is to be noted that the lever 102 includes an upward outwardly extending portion 1% which projects outwardly of the dust shield es.

Slidably mounted on the body member 12 and the dust shield 66 is a ring which is best illustrated in Figure 4. The ring has extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof trunnions iltl on which are pivotally mounted upper ends of the links ill. Further, carried by the rear portion of the link RG3 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a T-shaped trip 112. The trip H2 is selectively engageable with the portion 106 of the lever 102 to render to the pin 99 inoperative.

Carried by the upper portion of the plunger 58 and projecting downwardly therefrom on opposite sides thereof are lifting rods lid. The lifting rods 114 are disposed outwardly of the body member 12 and are received within the general confines of the ring 1%. The lifting rods lid are provided with outwardly directed projections 116 at their lower ends. The projections H6 underlie the ring 198 and are engageable therewith to lift the ring to the position illustrated in Figure 3.

In the operation of the present invention, an initial log engaging position of the log handling tongs it) may be assumed that of Figure 1. At this time, the tong members 28 and 39 would engage a log, not shown, and at the same time the plunger 58 is secured to the body member 12 by the latch 74. When it is desired to release the log carried by the log handling tongs it}, the log handling tong ill is lowered until such time as the log seats upon the ground. At this time the plunger 58 moves downwardly into the body member 12 and moves the lever 78 to the right so as to release the dog member 76. As the dog member 76 also moves to the right or counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 5, the pin 90 moves downwardly behind the projection 88 and renders the latch 74 inoperative. Then when the log handling tong it) is elevated the plunger 53 moves upwardly through the body member 12 above the latch 7d and the projections lilo engage the ring 108. Upward movement of the ring 103 results in the opening of the tong members 28 and 39 by the linkage extending between the ring 108 and the tong members 28 and 3t At the same time the trip 112 engages the lever 102 to release the latch 7d.

l/Vhen the log handling tong it is engaged over a next log, the plunger 58 will again move downwardly in the body member 12 past the latch 74. as the lifting line 64 is slackened. inasmuch as the tong members 28 and 353 will remain in their open position due to their engagement with the ground or logs, the trip member 112 will retain the pin 9% in its inoperative position until the plunger 58 has passed the latch 74 and the latch 74 will be permitted to engage the shoulder 86 of the plunger 53 when the plunger 58 is next lifted upwardly through the body member in a log gripping and elevating move ment.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that there has been descd an extremely simple log handling tong which is formed of readily obtainable parts. Further, it is readily apparent that the operation of the log handling tong is automatic and that the necessity for a man to open and guide the tong members of the log handling tong over a log is eliminated.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed new is as follows:

1. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried within said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body mem ber, between extended and collapsed postions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body member, means cormected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position.

2. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body member, means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body memher and moved to its extended position, means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position.

3. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, clock means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position, said connecting means including trip means for said lock means.

4. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger to lock said plunger to said body members, means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger in released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said latch means including a dog member, said plunger having a recess for receiving said dog member, said latch means including a lever connected to said dog member and engageable by said plunger when the same is moved to its fully collapsed position to move said dog member to an inoperative position.

5. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger to lock said plunger to said body members, means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open position when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said latch means including a dog member, said plunger having a recess for receiving said dog member, said latch means including a lever connected to said dog member and engageable by said plunger when the same is moved to its fully collapsed position to move said dog member to an inoperative position, means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position.

6. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open position when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said latch means including a dog member, said plunger having a recess for receiving said dog member, said latch means including a lever connected to said dog member and engageable by said plunger when the same is moved to its fully collapsed position to move said dog member to an inoperative position, lock means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position, said connecting means including trip means for said lock means operable to release said latch means when the plunger is moved to its extended position.

7. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with. respect to said body member, between extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said connecting means including linkage connected to said tong memher, a lifting rod carried by said plunger engageable with said linkage.

8. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said connecting means including linkage connected to said tong member, a lifting rod carried by said plunger engageable with said linkage, said linkage including a ring slidably mounted on said lifting rod, said lifting rod having a projection on a lower end thereof engageable with said ring.

9. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between the extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said connecting means including linkage connected to said tong member, a lifting rod carried by said plunger engageable with said linkage, said linkage including a ring slidably mounted on said lifting rod, said lifting rod having a projection on a lower end thereof engageable with said ring, means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position When the plunger is moved to its fully collapsed position.

10. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between the extended and collapsed positions, means on said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body member, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said connecting means including linkage connected to said tong member, a lifting rod carried by said plunger engageable with said linkage, said linkage including a ring slidably mounted on said lifting rod, said lifting rod having a projection on a lower end thereof engageable with said ring, lock means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position when the plunger is fully collapsed, said connecting means including trip means for said lock means actuated when said plunger is fuly extended.

ll. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between the extended and collapsed positions, means carried by said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, lock means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position when the plunger is moved to its fully collapsed position, said lock means including a stop pin engageable with said latch means, a spring urging said stop pin into position, a lever connected to said stop pin for moving said stop pin to an inoperative position when the plunger is fully extended.

12. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between the extended and collapsed positions, means carried by said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, lock means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position when the plunger is moved to its fully collapsed position, said lock means including a stop pin engageable with said latch means, a spring urging said stop pin into position, a lever connected to said stop pin for moving said stop pin to an inoperative position when the plunger is fully extended, said connecting means including a trip member engageable with said lever.

13. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, be tween the extended and collapsed positions, means carried b said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said latch means including a dog member, said plunger having a recess for receiving said dog member, said latch means including a lever connected to said dog member and engageable by said plunger when the plunger is moved to its fully collapsed position to move said dog member to an inoperative position, said connecting means including linkage connected to said tong member, a lifting rod carried by said plunger engageable with said linkage.

14. Log tongs comprising an elongated hollow body member, tong members carried by said body member at a lower end thereof, a plunger slidably carried by said body member and extending longitudinally thereof to project through an open upper end thereof, said plunger being movable, with respect to said body member, between the extended and collapsed positions, means carried by said plunger for attaching a lifting line to said plunger, latch means carried by said body member selectively engageable with said plunger, when the same is substantially in its collapsed position, to lock said plunger to said body members, connecting means connected to said plunger and said tong members for moving said tong members to open positions when said plunger is released from said body member and moved to its extended position, said latch means including a dog member, said plunger having a recess for receiving said dog member, said latch means including a lever connected to said dog member and engageable by said plunger when the plunger is moved to its fully collapsed position to move said dog member to an inoperative position, said connecting means including linkage connected to said tong member, a lifting rod carried by said plunger engageable with said linkage, means carried by said body member for locking said latch means in an inoperative position when the plunger is fully collapsed.

l5. tongs comprising an elongate body member having a pair of tong members carried at the lower end thereof, said tong members being pivotally interconnected for opening and closing movement with the connection between the tong members and the body member freely permitting of such movement as the tong members, an elongate plunger member substantially parallel to and longitudinally sidably carried by said body member for movement between collapsed and extended positions relative thereto, the upper portion of said plunger being provided with means for attaching a lifting line thereto, stop means rigid with said plunger and said body for preventing movement of said plunger beyond its extended position, means connected to and extending between said tongs and said plunger for opening said tongs when the plunger is in the extended position while permitting the tongs to close when the plunger is moved toward its collapsed position, latch means carried by said body engageable with said plunger when the same is substantially in the collapsed position preventing movement of the plunger toward its extended position, means carried by said body and engageable by said plunger when the same is in 'ts collapsed position to move said latch means to an inoperative position permitting subsequent movement of the plunger to its extended position, and blocking means carried by said body engageable with said latch means to hold the same in inoperative position when the latch means is so positioned in response to movement of the plunger to collapsed position, said block means including mechanism actuated by said plunger when the same is in its extended position to release said latch means and permit operative positioning thereof, said latch means being normally urged to operative position.

16. Log tongs comprising an elongate hollow body member having a pair of tong members carried at the lower end thereof, said tong members being pivotally interconnected for opening and closing movement with connection between the tong members and the body member freely permitting of such movement of the tong meman elongate plunger member received within said ody member in substantially coaxial relationship thereto and longitudinally slidable with respect to the body member for movement between collapsed and extended positions with respect thereto, said plunger being of such length as to have its upper end portion projecting from the upper end of said body member in either the collapsed or extended positions of the plunger with respect thereto, the upper portion of said plunger being provided with means for attaching a lifting line thereto, stop means rigid with said plunger and said body for preventing movement of said plunger beyond its extended position, means connected to and extending between said tongs and said plunger for opening said tongs when the plunger is in extended position while permitting said tongs to close when the plunger is moved toward its collapsed position, a latch dog pivotally carried within said body and having a portion engageable Within a recess in said plunger when the same is substantially in the collapsed position preventing upward movement of the plunger with respect to the body towards its extended position with respect thereto, a lever rigid with said dog extending beneath the lower end of said plunger when the same is substantially in a collapsed position and disposed in the path of movement thereof when the plunger is moved to its fully collapsed position to move said dog out of the path of movement of said plunger, locking means eng-ageable with said dog for retaining the same out of the path of movement of said plunger and including mechanism extending laterally outwardly from the upper end of said body member for engagement by an element rigid with said plunger when the plunger is disposed in the fully extended position for actuation thereby to withdraw the lock means and permit the dog to assume its operative position, means normally urging said dog towards its operative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 966,676 Farrell Aug. 9, 1910 2,215,844 Van Syckle Sept. 24, 1940 2,656,212 Eckstein Oct. 20, 1953 

